Hi, my name is Kristen Chandler, and I'm a soccer mom on a mission. It's my hope that you'll share my vision, and help us provide our youth with an opportunity to play hard and give big for the children of Africa.

Kickforhope was established to host youth soccer tournaments to benefit children whose lives are ravaged by poverty and disease.

The idea of kickforhope was born in the summer of 2008 when my son went to Uganda. He was encouraged to bring the children soccer balls. When my daughter's soccer club provided a generous supply of new balls, I realized that together, we can do a lot more.

AIDS kills an estimated 8,500 people in Africa EVERY DAY--over 1,000 deaths are children. An additional 7,700 people become infected daily. AIDS has left over 14 million orphans in its wake, and the count continues to grow. (data.org)

Worldwide, malaria causes around 350 to 500 million illnesses and kills more than 3,000 children EVERY DAY--over 90% are in Africa where a child dies EVERY 30 SECONDS. Malaria is a preventable and treatable disease, yet 40% of the world is still at risk. (malarianomore.org)

Over a billion people don't have access to safe, clean drinking water. Unsafe water and lack of basic sanitation cause 80% of all sickness and disease resulting in 42,000 deaths a week--90% of which are children under 5. (charitywater.org)

Hunger is the greatest threat to the world's public health, affecting more than 1 in 6 people. In Africa, more than 30,000 people die each day from starvation and extreme poverty. Most of these deaths occur in children under 5. (who.org)